The body of Erin Corwin, reported missing from the Twentynine Palms Marine Base June 29th, was found Saturday in a 140 foot deep mineshaft, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Her alleged lover, Former Corporal Brandon Lee, was arrested on homicide charges in Anchorage, Alaska Sunday night. Corwin, the wife of a Marine, was last seen leaving her home in Twentynine Palms on June 28. The County Sheriff’s Department said at the time that there were suspicious circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Her body was discovered in the mine shaft Saturday afternoon at4:30. Because of poor air quality in the mine, Corwin’s body was recovered Sunday evening at 6:30 and positively identified through dental records.What investigators described as “Electronic forensic evidence” linked Brandon Lee to crime and he was arrested at 10 p.m. Sunday during a traffic stop. Investigators say Corwin’s affair with Lee started in February. The District Attorney said charges against Lee in the murder of Corwin are pending. Corwin would have celebrated her 20th birthday on July 15. Corwin left her home on the Marine Corps base about 7 a.m. June 28, telling her husband she was going in to Joshua Tree National Park to scout locations to take her mother, who was coming for a visit. She has not been seen or heard from since, although her car was found two days later, about two miles from the base’s Condor gate. Search warrants were served at the home she shares with her husband, Corporal Jonathan Corwin, and that of her neighbors, Christopher and Nicole Lee.

The alleged lover of missing Marine wife Erin Corwin is behind bars in Anchorage, Alaska after an extensive search was conducted over the weekend for Corwin in 29 Palms. Federal Agents arrested Lee at about 10 pm last night and he is being held at the Anchorage Correctional Complex.

The charges against Christopher Lee have not yet been released. Z107.7fm will broadcast Live from the Sheriff’s Press Conference today an noon.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon has called a press conference at noon today in San Bernardino with an update about Erin Corwin, the pregnant Twentynine Palms woman who has been missing since June 28. Corwin left her home on the Marine Corps base about 7 a.m. June 28, telling her husband she was going in to Joshua Tree National Park to scout locations to take her mother, who was coming for a visit. She has not been seen or heard from since, although her car was found two days later, about two miles from the base’s Condor gate. Search warrants were served at the home she shares with her husband, Corporal Jonathan Corwin, and that of her neighbors, Christopher and Nicole Lee. It’s believed that Corwin and Christopher Lee were having an affair. Sheriff’s deputies and search and rescue personnel have been searching intensively for Corwin ever since she was reported missing. Z107.7 News will have an update about the news conference as soon as possible.

Three Twentynine Palms residents were arrested Thursday afternoon following a drug raid on a home in the 71900 block of Sunnyslope Drive. About 3:10, deputies armed with a search warrant raided the home where they found Reah Barger, 34, Michael Pace, 51, and Jonathan Lowry, 64, along with drugs, weapons, cash, and a grenade. After an investigation, Reah Barger and Michael Pace were arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, cited and released. Lowry, the owner of the home, was arrested on suspicion of operating a drug house, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a destructive device. Jonathan Lowry was booked at the West Valley Detention Center with his bail set at $500,000. The Sheriff’s Department Bomb and Arson Squad was called in to dispose of the grenade.

A woman was flown to a Palm Springs hospital Sunday morning after she fell off her off-road vehicle. According to County fire fighter Aaron Boykin, the woman was riding her ATV in the Dry Means Lake Bed when she lost control when she tried to make a turn about 7:50 a.m., and fell off. Although the unidentified woman complained of pain, she had no apparent broken bones, but was airlifted to Desert Hospital in Palm Springs as a precaution.

A small earthquake has struck the Nearby Big Bear area last night, no damages or injuries were reported. The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude-3.7 quake struck at 9:55 p.m. It was centered 4 miles north of Big Bear City at a depth of about 4 miles. Hundreds of people in San Bernardino and Riverside counties reported feeling the earth move on the USGS website.

Yucca Valley Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint Friday at Twentynine Palms Hwy and Church Street between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Robin Osip, 36 years old residing in Indio was arrested for suspected DUI. Eric Ramos, 42, was found to have a felony warrant out of Torrance and his driver’s license was suspended. He was arrested and transported to the Morongo Basin jail. In total, 1209 Vehicles Screened, 1 DUI-Alcohol suspect was arrested, 11 Drivers were cited or arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended or revoked license, and one arrested on other criminal charges.

The County Board of Supervisors meeting agenda shows consent items of Morongo Basin interest related to conservation, and a local conservationist, and to a road maintenance district. Reporter Dan Stork explains…
The seat on the Morongo Basin Municipal Advisory Council that has been vacant since early June, will be filled by the appointment of Pat Flanagan by Third District Supervisor James Ramos. That term expires in 2017.
Another item of local interest on the consent agenda of the Board of Supervisors meeting for Tuesday August 19 is the addition of more parties to a multiorganization Encroachment Protection agreement that already includes the Mojave Land Trust, the Department of the Navy, and Community Services Area 20 (Joshua Tree). Joshua Tree interest centers on the Desert View Conservation Area Park, locally known as Section 6. Continued inclusion of CSA 20 to the Agreement will allow CSA 20 to negotiate the potential sale of a conservation easement to the Navy, which will provide funds for the DVCA Park. The Navy has related preservation of habitat to the mission of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. Development of the section into a park has been hanging fire for about 50 years.
There will also be a public hearing on the formation of a road maintenance district within Wonder Valley, to be funded by a tax recently approved by voters in that area.
The meeting starts at 10 a.m., and can be participated in through the interactive conferencing facility at the County government center in Joshua Tree.

Auditions for the hilarious Broadway Musical, “Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein”, will be held tonight at Theatre 29. Reporter Taylor Thacker tells you how to try out……
Don’t forget that the auditions for Theatre 29’s Young Frankenstein are tonight! The Artistic Director, Gary Daigneault, and the Music Director, Bill Barrett, will be looking for three males ages 20-30, two males ages 40-50, two males (ages indeterminate), two females in their 20s, and one female age 40-50. They will also be looking for a swing cast consisting of people with strong dance experience. Auditions for “Young Frankenstein” are at Theatre 29 at 73637 Sullivan Road in Twentynine Palms at 6:00pm. Rehearsals start August 19th. Performances will be held at Theatre 29 October 3rd through November 1. For vocals, those auditioning are asked to bring a back up CD or mp3 file on a Smartphone or mp3 player and sing Broadway tunes only. Readings will consist of cold sides from the script. For more information call 760-366-8471.

Morongo Basin seniors are invited to the first Senior Safety and Information Expo, to be held 9 to 11 this Thursday, August 21, at Covington Park in Morongo Valley. Numerous organizations, such as the Sheriff’s Department, Highway Patrol, Hi-Desert Medical Center Reach Out Morongo Basin, CERT, and more, will be on hand with information about services and safety tips for seniors. Seniors will be able to receive tips on diet and exercise, as well as receive free blood pressure checks and give-aways. For more information, call Donna Munoz at 760-363-6454.

The Twentynine Palms Youth Club is taking registrations for its after-school program. The program begins August 25. Applications can be picked up at the Youth Club, 5882 Luckie Avenue, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is free for students of Oasis Elementary; for all others, the cost is $100 per month. Oasis students must attend Monday through Friday from 2:45 to 5:45 and be picked up by 6 p.m. Hours for all other students are 2:30 to 6. Students will receive 1 hour of literacy class, 30 minutes of math and physical education, and help with homework. For more information, call the Youth Club at 760-367-5776.

This coming Saturday will be the final showing for this year’s Vintage Film Festival in Landers. Reporter Cara Conway invites you out to see “Jeopardy”….
John Sturges’ 1953 suspense film “Jeopardy” will be the closing feature for the Saturday night at the movies Vintage Film Festival on August 23 at 7:30 p.m. Held at the Museum and Research Center, 632 Landers Lane, Landers, admission includes dinner and entrance to the exhibition “Pioneertown: Movietown.” Arrive early for dinner before the feature. Tickets are $8 members, $10 non-members.

The Twentynine Palms Pioneer Days, set for October 17 through 19, is getting off to a great start. The Twentynine Palms Chamber selected this year’s Pioneer Days theme. “Pioneers & Patriots”, submitted by B.J. Duke, is the winner of the 2014 theme competition. Artwork is now sought to depict the theme. Submit your original sketch, painting, photograph or graphic design to adorn thousands of collectable buttons. Please include the phrase “Pioneers & Patriots” along with “Pioneer Days 2014” into your 3 ½” circular design and submit via email in JPEG or .PNG format to 29chamber@29chamber.org for consideration. Button designs will be accepted via email thru Monday, September 1. For more information, contact the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce at 760-367-3445.

The Animal Action League will be offering low-cost vaccine and microchip clinics in August for dogs and cats, as well as low-cost spaying and neutering. No appointments are necessary for vaccines or microchips; appointments are required for spay and neutering services. Microchips are only $15, and can help reunite you with your lost pet. Clinics will be held in Joshua Tree, west of the dinosaurs on Highway 62, on August 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, and 27. All clinics are held from 10 to 2. To make an appointment for spay or neutering, call 760-322-4560. Visit animalactionleague.us for updated schedules on clinics.

The Yucca Valley Oktoberfest event is set for October 25. The event is being put on by the Yucca Valley Rotary Club. Managing Editor Tami Roleff says even though the event is a way off, they are now looking for sponsors….
The Yucca Valley Rotary and Chamber of Commerce are looking for sponsors for its Second Annual Oktoberfest. The family-friendly event is set for Saturday, October 25, from 2 to 9 p.m. at Brehm Sports Park in Yucca Valley, and will include a live band, entertainment, vendor booths, food, beer, and contests. Five sponsorship levels are available: Pilsner Platinum, for $1250; Oktoberfest Band, for $1000; Hefe Weizen Gold sponsorship, for $750; Bock Silver, for $500; and Lager Bronze, for $250. All sponsorship levels include free admission, beer tickets, and acknowledgement as an event sponsor. For more information, or to sponsor the event, contact Jill Akalski at 760-766-5656 or the Chamber of Commerce at 760-365-6323.

The Hi-Desert Home Care Services hospice program will host a free ongoing bereavement support group for those whose loved ones have died. The support group meets tomorrow and the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church on Hallee Road in Joshua Tree, and at 5:30 p.m. at the Hi-Desert Home Health and Hospice office, 63484 Chickasaw Road in Joshua Tree. The group is facilitated by Gloria Beetle. For more information, contact Beetle at 760-366-6427 or visit the Hi Desert Medical website at www.hdmc.org.